Optimum Credit is one of Wales’ fastest growing financial services companies and is quite simply a great place to work. Launched in October 2013, it has already advanced mortgage funds to customers totalling more than £500 million.

Approaching the fifth anniversary of establishing its second charge mortgage business in the heart of Cardiff, it is taking the next step as it launches first charge mortgages. This is an exciting development that will help Optimum further grow its customer base through an industry- recognised, market leading operation. And that’s where you come in. The company is looking for exceptional people to join their team in a wide variety of roles.

Optimum says that its people are the ‘thing’ that sets them apart from the competition. That is why it has created a business that allows the team to excel every day, and to develop their skills, experience and talents. It currently has a 100 plus workforce and is now looking to increase that number significantly.

Search is on for talent

Helen Hartshorn, head of HR, said: “Our company values are very important to us, and we recruit people who actively demonstrate those same values. We are always on the lookout for talented people who get a kick out of doing a great job, have a passion for excellence, and love working collaboratively with other colleagues. If you want a fast-paced environment, real career progression opportunities and somewhere to showcase your skills and experience, this is the place for you.”

The story so far

Optimum currently offers second charge mortgages to those who want a secured loan to help raise finance or consolidate debts. It has exceeded expectation, having achieved a position where around one in four second charge mortgages in the UK is completed by Optimum. That success is down to a great team of colleagues which has increased since it started from a team of two at the outset to 110 - and still growing.

People join Optimum and stay – not only because the company likes to nurture its internal talent and support people’s career aspirations through succession planning initiatives, but because colleagues are invested in its plans for the future and can see the opportunities coming their way. It’s not all about work though, as there is a lot of fun to be had, success is celebrated and local charities are supported along the way.

Always moving forward

It is not a business that stands still, aiming to be ‘disruptive by design’ in its product and service offerings. It is now taking that Optimum innovation, together with its experience and skills in mortgage lending, and doing something new - launching its first charge mortgage product range.

“We’ve had an impressive rise since launch and becoming a first charge mortgage provider will support our aim to build our consumer brand and reach new customers and markets," said chief executive Sam Marshall. "It’s a bold ambition, but one that we know we can achieve with the right people on board. With that in mind, we are looking for exceptional people to join our team in a wide variety of key roles. This will see Optimum establish itself as a major employer in the growing financial services sector within Wales, employing over 200 colleagues within the next year.”

So if you want to be in at the start of our move into first mortgages and have the chance to really shape and influence the way the business grows then Optimum would love to hear from you. In return for your commitment, you will have the chance to develop your career in a dynamic environment, working alongside the top talent and leadership team that have delivered the company’s success so far.

Colleagues will tell you that Optimum is a great place to work. It invests in its people and likes to nurture and develop talent when it sees it. “The opportunities at Optimum are exceptional," said credit risk analyst, Joshua Didcote. "I first joined the company for a six-month period as a graduate on the Welsh Financial Services Programme, then secured a permanent role in finance, and now I’ve landed my dream job in the credit risk team.”

Packed with benefits

Optimum offers a great benefits package, including 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays (and a day off for your birthday so you can celebrate in style), an annual bonus and private medical cover, life assurance, up to 8% matched pension, plus other perks like free fruit, unlimited free tea, coffee and cordials, free breakfast once a month, and a ‘fun fund’ for each manager to recognise and say thank you to their team.

Most importantly, it offers competitive salaries to make sure it attracts and retains the right people - individuals who demonstrate the company values. It is based in the centre of Cardiff, close to car parks, easily accessed by public transport, with a bus stop right outside and both Queen Street and Central stations just a few minutes’ walk away. There are shower facilities for those wanting to cycle to work (bikes can be safely stored on-site), or you can visit nearby off-site gyms in your lunch break.

How to get in contact

If you like the sound of the business and think you have got what it takes to help it achieve its ambitions, Optimum wants to hear from you. Send your CV, indicating which role you are interested in, to jobs@optimumcredit.co.uk, or visit www.optimumcredit.co.uk/careers to find out more and apply through the website.

Even if there is nothing listed there that is exactly what you are looking for, but you like the sound of Optimum Credit and think you could be the right fit for the business, the company would still like to hear from you. Send in your CV and the company will keep it in its ‘talent tank’, which is regularly reviewed when new opportunities become available. Your dream job could be just around the corner, so what are you waiting for?